Hose connnection

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hose connection for a fuel dispensing unit. The hose connection comprises a pipe for transporting fuel from a fuel reservoir, a hose for transporting fuel to a motor vehicle, an intermediate member adapted to connect said hose with said pipe, and a locking device fixed to said fuel dispensing unit adapted to interlock said pipe and said intermediate member. The hose connection is secured in relation to said fuel dispensing unit. The invention also relates to a fuel dispensing unit comprising such hose connection.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/636,585, filed on Dec. 11, 2009, and entitled “Hose Connection,”which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to a foreignpriority application Serial No. 08171510.4, filed in the European PatentOffice on Dec. 12, 2008. The entire contents of these applications ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hose connection for a fuel dispensingunit. The invention also relates to a fuel dispensing unit comprisingsuch a hose connection.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A problem with the hose connections today is that they generallycomprise many different components which make the assembly of each hoseconnection stressing and time consuming for the mechanic performing theoperation. Also, the potential risk of leakage between componentsnaturally increases in accordance with the number of components includedin the hose connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement ofthe prior art. More particularly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a hose connection comprising a minimal number ofcomponents in order to reduce the assembly time and thus the assemblycosts for the hose connection. Further, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a more reliable hose connection in regard toleakage between the components included in the hose connection.

These and other objects as well as advantages that will be apparent fromthe following description of the present invention are achieved by thehose connection and the fuel dispensing unit comprising such a hoseconnection described below.

Thus, the present invention provides a hose connection for a fueldispensing unit, comprising a pipe for transporting fuel from a fuelreservoir, a hose for transporting fuel to a motor vehicle, anintermediate member adapted to connect said hose with said pipe, and alocking device fixed to said fuel dispensing unit adapted to interlocksaid pipe and said intermediate member, whereby said hose connection issecured in relation to said fuel dispensing unit. This is advantageousin that the number of components included in the hose connection issmall and that, in preferred embodiments, they are easily connected toeach other, without using bolts, screws, welding, etc. In this way, theassembly time and thus the assembly costs for each hose connection isminimized. Also, the load of the mechanic performing the assembly isreduced since no screwing or other anatomically stressing movements needto be performed. Further, the risk of leakage between the componentsincluded in the hose connection is reduced.

An end portion of the pipe may be provided with a seal member, said endportion of said pipe being adapted to enter a receiving portion in saidintermediate member, in order to connect said pipe with saidintermediate member. This is advantageous in that a reliable sealingbetween the pipe drawing fuel from the underground reservoir and theintermediate member is achieved.

The end portion of said pipe may be provided with two annular beadswhich accommodate an O-ring between them, said end portion of said pipebeing adapted to enter a receiving portion in said intermediate member,in order to connect said pipe with said intermediate member. This isadvantageous in that a reliable sealing between the pipe drawing fuelfrom the underground reservoir and the intermediate member is achieved.

The intermediate member may comprise at least one port, to which a vaporrecovery pipe may be connected. The vapor recovery is then achieved, forinstance, by arranging a vapor suction nozzle next to the fueldispensing nozzle of a pistol grip for filling the tank with fuel.Further, the recovered fuel vapor may be transported through a coaxialhose, via the vapor recovery pipe in the hose connection to theunderground reservoir. This measure is taken for both safety andenvironmental reasons.

An end portion of said vapor recovery pipe may be provided with a sealmember, said end portion of said vapor recovery pipe being adapted toenter a receiving portion in said port, in order to connect said vaporrecovery pipe with said intermediate member. This is advantageous inthat a reliable sealing between the vapor recovery pipe the intermediatemember is achieved.

The end portion of said vapor recovery pipe may be provided with twoannular beads which accommodate an O-ring between them, said end portionof said vapor recovery pipe being adapted to enter a receiving portionin said port, in order to connect said vapor recovery pipe with saidintermediate member. This is advantageous in that a reliable sealingbetween the vapor recovery pipe the intermediate member is achieved.

The hose connection may further comprise a fastening device securingsaid vapor recovery pipe in relation to said intermediate member, whichis advantageous in that the risk of the vapor recovery pipe dislodgingfrom the intermediate member is eliminated.

The locking device may comprise a connector protruding in a transversedirection in relation to said hose which is adapted to engage with atleast one portion of said intermediate member. In this way, theintermediate member is secured to the to the fuel dispensing unit viasaid locking device.

The at least one portion of said intermediate member may comprise areduced cross section, which enables the locking device to reliablyengage with the intermediate member.

The connector protruding in a transverse direction in relation to saidhose may engage with at least one of said two annular beads provided onsaid pipe. Accordingly, the pipe and the intermediate member will bereliably secured to each other in a longitudinal direction in relationto the hose as long as they are provided in the locking device.

The locking device may comprise a resilient member adapted to at leastpartly enclose said intermediate member. This secures the intermediatemember and the pipe to the fuel dispensing unit, via the locking device,in a transverse direction in relation to the hose.

The resilient member may be locked by use of at least one grooveprovided in said connector protruding in a transverse direction inrelation to said hose. This is advantageous in that the risk of theresilient member unintentionally releasing the intermediate member andthe pipe from the locking device and thus also from the fuel dispensingunit will be eliminated.

The resilient member may be adapted to move from a first groove providedin said connector protruding in a transverse direction in relation tosaid hose to a second groove provided in said connector protruding in atransverse direction in relation to said hose, thereby locking theresilient member. This is advantageous in that the risk of the resilientmember unintentionally releasing the intermediate member and the pipefrom the locking device and thus also from the fuel dispensing unit willbe eliminated.

The hose may be connected to said intermediate member in an undetachablemanner, which is advantageous in that one more step during assembly ofthe hose connection is eliminated. Also, the risk of leakage between thehose and the intermediate member is minimized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the inventionrelates to a fuel dispensing unit comprising a hose connection accordingto the above described features.

Generally, all terms used below are to be interpreted according to theirordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly definedotherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device,component, means, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to atleast one instance of said element, device, component, means, etc.,unless explicitly stated otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferredembodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appendeddrawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similarelements, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fuel dispensing unit,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a locking device included in a hoseconnection according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hose connection according to thefirst embodiment of the invention comprising the locking device in FIG.2, a hose, an intermediate member and a pipe,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hose connection in FIG. 3, whereinthe pipe is connected to the intermediate member and the intermediatemember is provided in the locking device,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hose connection according to a secondembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel dispensing unit 1, having four hose storagespaces 2 on each opposing side of the fuel dispensing unit 1, anelectrical cabinet 3 containing all the electronics for the fueldispensing unit 1, a hydraulic cabinet 4 containing fuel dispensingmeans (not shown), e.g. fuel metering means, valves, vapor recoverysystem etc, and a column 5 extending vertically between and separatingthe electrical cabinet 3 and the hydraulic cabinet 4 from the hosestorage spaces 2. The fuel dispensing unit 1 is connected to anunderground reservoir (not shown) containing fuel. When filling up thetank of a motor vehicle, the fuel is pumped from the undergroundreservoir by means of a pump (not shown) which is located in thehydraulic cabinet 4, and from there to the column 5 and out to a nozzle6 via a hose 7. When filling-up does not take place, the hose 7 isaccommodated in a hose storage place 2 and the nozzle 6 is inserted in anozzle boot (not shown).

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the components included in a hoseconnection 8 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The hoseconnection 8 comprises a locking device 9, a hose 7, an intermediatemember 10 and a pipe 11. The locking device 9 is adapted to be fixed tothe fuel dispensing unit 1 for example by means of screws, bolts, welds,etc. Further, the locking device 9 is adapted to interlock theintermediate member 10 and the pipe 11 as well as to secure the hoseconnection 8 to the fuel dispensing unit 1. The intermediate member 10is adapted to connect the pipe 11 for transporting fuel from a fuelreservoir and the hose 7 for transporting fuel to a motor vehicle. Thelocking device 9 comprises at least one connector 12 protruding in atransverse direction in relation to the hose 7, which connector 12 isadapted to engage with the intermediate member 10 and an end portion 13of the pipe 11 in order to interlock the intermediate member 10 and thepipe 11. The connector 12 of the locking device 9 comprises a firstgroove 14 and a second groove 15. Naturally, the number of connector(s)12 protruding from the locking device 9 as well as the number of grooves14, 15 provided in said connector(s) 12 can be varied. The lockingdevice 9 further comprises a resilient member 16 adapted to at leastpartly enclose the intermediate member 10. The intermediate member 10has an upper portion 17 and a lower portion 18. The hose 7 is fixedlymounted to the upper portion 17 of the intermediate member 10. The endportion 13 of the pipe 11 is adapted to enter a receiving portion in thelower portion 18 of the intermediate member 10, in order to connect thepipe 11 with the intermediate member 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG.3, the end portion 13 of the pipe 11 is provided with two annular beads19 which accommodate an O-ring 20 between them. The number of beads 19can be varied. Off course, the pipe 11 can be connected to theintermediate member 10 in other ways, such as screwing, bolting,welding, etc.

In FIG. 4 the hose connection 8 according to a first embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, wherein the hose 7 is connected to the pipe 11via the intermediate member 10 and the intermediate member 10 isprovided in the locking device 9. The end portion 13 of the pipe 11having two annular beads 19 which accommodate an O-ring 20 between themis provided in the receiving portion of the lower portion 18 of theintermediate member 10, thereby creating a sealed connection betweenpipe 11 and the intermediate member 10. The connector 12 of the lockingdevice 9 protruding in a transverse direction in relation to the hose 7are engaged with a portion of the intermediate member 10, which portioncomprises a reduced cross section. Further, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the connector 12 of the locking device 9 protruding in atransverse direction in relation to the hose 7 are engaged with one ofthe two annular beads 19 of the end portion 13 of the pipe 11, therebyinterlocking the intermediate member 10 and the pipe 11. The resilientmember 16 is provided in the second groove 15 of the connector 12 of thelocking device 9, thereby locking the resilient member 16.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hose connection 8 according to a second embodimentof the present invention. The intermediate member 10 comprises twoports. A vapor recovery pipe 21 is connected to each one of the twoports. The end portions of the vapor recovery pipes 21 are provided withtwo annular beads which accommodate an O-ring between them. The endportions of the vapor recovery pipes 21 are provided in a receivingportion of the ports of the intermediate member 10. Naturally, the vaporrecovery pipes 21 can be connected to the ports of the intermediatemember 10 in other ways, such as by means of screwing, bolting, welding,etc. A fastening device 22 is provided on the intermediate member 10securing the vapor recovery pipes 21 in relation to the intermediatemember 10. The fastening device 22 comprises a slot 23 on each side sothat the vapor recovery pipes 21 can be attached to and detached fromthe intermediate member 10, respectively. The hose 7 is coaxial in orderto separate fuel and vapor.

When the hose connection 8 is to be secured in relation to the fueldispensing unit 1, the locking device 9 is fixed to the fuel dispensingunit 1 in a suitable manner. The hose 7 is fixedly connected to theupper portion 17 of the intermediate member 10 and the end portion 13 ofthe pipe 11 is connected to the receiving portion in the lower portion18 of the intermediate member 10 by means of the two annular beads 19and the O-ring 20 accommodated between said beads 19. Thus, the hose 7and the pipe 11 are in communication with each other. Finally, theintermediate member 10 is provided in the locking device 9, so that theconnector 12 protruding in a transverse direction in relation to thehose 7 engage with the intermediate member 10 and one of the two annularbeads 19 of the end portion 13 of the pipe 11, thereby interlocking thepipe 11 and the intermediate member 10. When the intermediate member 10is provided in the locking device the resilient member 16 moves from theoriginal position in the first groove 14 to a locking position in thesecond groove 15, thereby securing the intermediate member 10 and thusthe hose connection 8 to the fuel dispensing unit. Accordingly, theintermediate member 10 and the pipe 11 are secured in relation to thelocking device 9 in a longitudinal direction in relation to the hose 7by means of the connector 12 and in a transverse direction in relationto the hose 7 by means of the resilient member 16.

The hose 7 can be connected to the intermediate member 10 in manydifferent ways. In one embodiment the hose 7 is connected to theintermediate member 10 in an undetachable manner. However, it can alsobe connected to the intermediate member 10 by means of for examplescrewing, bolting, welding, etc. The transverse and longitudinaldirection in relation to the hose 7 relates to the hose 7 when runningalong a side wall of the fuel dispensing unit 1.

According to a second aspect of the invention a fuel dispensing unit isprovided comprising a hose connection according to the above describedfeatures.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled inthe art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equallypossible within the scope of the invention.

1. A locking device for a fuel dispensing unit comprising a pipe fortransporting fuel from a fuel reservoir, said locking device comprising:an intermediate member coupled to the pipe; a connector adapted toengage at least one portion of the intermediate member, the connectorcomprising a first groove and a second groove; and a resilient memberadapted to at least partly enclose the intermediate member, wherein theresilient member is adapted to expand radially and move from the firstgroove to the second groove.
 2. The locking device of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate member has a receiving portion that engages a sealmember disposed on an end portion of the pipe.
 3. The locking device ofclaim 2, wherein the end portion comprises a first annular bead and asecond annular bead, and wherein the seal member is disposed between thefirst annular bead and the second annular bead.
 4. The locking device ofclaim 1, further comprising a vapor recovery pipe in fluid connectionwith a port disposed on the intermediate member.
 5. The locking deviceof claim 4, further comprising a fastening device disposed on theintermediate member, the fastening device comprising a slot that coupleswith the vapor recovery pipe.
 6. The locking device of claim 1, whereinthe first position is vertically above the second position.
 7. A fueldispenser, comprising: a pipe for transporting fuel from a fuelreservoir; an intermediate member coupled to the pipe; and a lockingdevice comprising a connector with a first groove and a second grooveand a resilient member adapted to move from the first groove to thesecond groove to engage a portion of the intermediate member.
 8. Thefuel dispenser of claim 7, wherein the portion of the intermediatemember has a reduced cross-section.
 9. The fuel dispenser of claim 7,wherein the intermediate member has a locked position that positions theresilient member in the second groove.
 10. The fuel dispenser of claim7, wherein the connector protrudes in a direction transverse to theintermediate member in the locked position.
 11. The fuel dispenser ofclaim 7, wherein the first groove is vertically above the second groove.12. The locking device of claim 7, wherein the intermediate member has areceiving portion that engages a seal member disposed on an end portionof the pipe.
 13. The locking device of claim 12, wherein the end portioncomprises a first annular bead and a second annular bead, and whereinthe seal member is disposed between the first annular bead and thesecond annular bead.
 14. The locking device of claim 7, furthercomprising a vapor recovery pipe in fluid connection with a portdisposed on the intermediate member.
 15. The locking device of claim 14,further comprising a fastening device disposed on the intermediatemember, the fastening device comprising a slot that couples with thevapor recovery pipe.
 16. A fuel dispenser, comprising: a pipe fortransporting fuel from a fuel reservoir, the pipe having an unlockedposition and a locked position; and a locking device to engage the pipe,the locking device comprising resilient member with a first position anda second position that correspond to, respectively, the vertically belowthe first position and


17. The fuel dispenser of claim 16, further comprising an intermediatemember disposed on the pipe, wherein the resilient member is adapted toengage at least a portion of the intermediate member in the lockedposition.
 18. The fuel dispenser of claim 17, further comprising a vaporrecovery pipe in fluid connection with a port disposed on theintermediate member.
 19. The locking device of claim 17, furthercomprising a fastening device disposed on the intermediate member, thefastening device comprising a slot that couples with the vapor recoverypipe.
 20. The fuel dispenser of claim 16, wherein the first position isvertically below the second position.